DeKALB | The DeKalb Liquor Commission approved a change to the Class A initial issuance fee, from $3,000 to $10,000, at Tuesday’s meeting. The annual renewal fee will increase from $1,925 to $2,500.

The discussion of the proposed fees continued from previous meetings. City Attorney Norma Guess was seeking an increase to $30,000 for the initial issuance fee of a Class A license and Michael Embrey, commission member, was seeking a fee more in the range of $5,000. Chair Jeff Whelan preferred a fee in the $15,000 range. The $10,000 fee was agreed upon as a mid-point between Embrey’s suggestion and Whelan’s suggestion. All commission members were opposed to the $30,000 fee.

Guess suggested the idea for class AC and EC licenses which would require higher fees for establishments in the campus area. She said campus establishments use more public services, like police resources. Embrey opposed the licenses, saying they would be discriminatory and segregationist. Embrey said he did not think potential owners should incur higher fees because of problems with current establishments.

Many local establishment owners attended the meeting in opposition to the increase in fees. Some said such fees would hurt their businesses.

Nick Tsiftilis, owner of Starbusters, 930 Pappas Drive, said in the past, it has been Class E licenses that have had violation problems, yet he thinks the focus is on Class A license holders, who are not the problem. He said the increase in fees was unfair because it could potentially drive up the cost of selling his business. He said future owners would be deterred from purchasing establishments in DeKalb because of the high fees associated with acquiring a license.

“Without the license, [the business] is not worth anything,” Tsiftilis said.

Cynthia Capek, executive director of the DeKalb Park District, voiced concerns regarding the Class H license held by the park district. She asked the commission to clarify the license to better reflect that serving beer and wine from carts on the golf course is permitted and to also reflect the ability to serve hard liquor in the clubhouse during golf outings.

George Stratton, owner of South Pointe Greens subdivision, also sought a new license from the commission. Stratton is seeking a Community Club House license, allowing him to serve beer and wine from carts on his golf course as well as certain areas within his clubhouse.

Guess and Cory Warren, deputy liquor commissioner, said they will work together to draft the necessary changes to the park district’s Class H license and create Stratton’s Community Club House license to present to the city council.